Lighting device for handheld surgical instrument with smoke evacuation system

ABSTRACT

A lighting device for attachment to a handheld electrosurgical instrument is disclosed, which includes an elongated housing having opposed proximal and distal end portions and defining an interior chamber containing a battery powered light assembly for illuminating a surgical site, the housing having at least one smoke evacuation passage that extends from an inlet located adjacent to or near the distal end portion of the housing to an outlet located adjacent to or near the proximal end portion of the housing for removing smoke generated at the surgical site.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The subject invention is directed to surgical instrumentation, and moreparticularly, to a battery powered lighting device used with a handheldelectrosurgical instrument, which includes a smoke evacuation system.

2. Description of Related Art

In medical practice, lighting devices are used to direct light at aspecific area being operated on or examined. For example, lightingdevices can be used in conjunction with a handheld electrosurgicaldevice, such as a BOVIE® pencil, which is typically used to incisetissue during a surgical procedure.

Some instruments known in the art include an integral light source, butthese devices are generally expensive and relatively bulky. Cordless andcorded lighting devices for surgical tools are also known in the art,but these can also add bulk, preventing a user from manipulating thetool with precision or in confined spaces.

Additionally, many lighting devices, especially corded devices andoverhead lights, require constant repositioning, are assistant-dependentto hold or re-position, and can be disruptive to a surgical field.Furthermore, corded lighting devices, as well as light sources that areintegrated into a tool can become hot, burning the user and/or patient,and possibly even causing a fire.

Headlights can be used as an alternative to a lighting device during asurgical procedure. However, similar to lighting devices, headlights arebulky, commonly require cables to connect to a power source, requireconstant readjustment, and can pose a potential safety hazard. Moreover,being worn on the head of the surgeon, they are at a distance from thesurgical field, decreasing their effectiveness, and they can causefatigue and strain if worn for an extended period of time.

It is known that when handheld lighting devices, overhead lights and/orheadlamps are employed during a surgical procedure, the hands/tools ofthe surgeon can block the light and cast a shadow on the surgical site,which is undesirable. Those shadows require the user to reposition thelighting sources regularly, and can even require the surgeon to movetheir head to try to angle the headlamp towards the surgical sitedifferently.

A particularly useful battery powered lighting device designed forattachment to a handheld electrosurgical device, and in particular, foruse with a BOVIE® pencil, is disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat.No. 9,851,060, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated byreference in its entirety. This device overcomes the deficiencies of theprior art lighting devices described above.

The use of a handheld electrosurgical device, such as a BOVIE® pen toincise tissue, typically creates surgical smoke when energy is impartedto tissue cells during surgery. The heat from the energy vaporizes theintracellular fluid, which increases the pressure inside the cell andeventually causes the cell membrane to burst. When this happens, a plumeof smoke containing mostly water vapor is released into the operatingroom. At the same time, the heat chars the protein and other organicmatter within the cell, releasing contaminants, such as carbonized cellfragments and gaseous hydrocarbons.

These small particles and gases are potentially hazardous if inhaled. Ifthey are not evacuated from the surgical site nearest to the locationwhere the surgical smoke is created, they can become airborne andinhaled. This has led to the development and use of smoke evacuationsystems during surgical procedures. A smoke evacuator is basically avacuum pump with one or more filters designed to remove surgical smokeand aerosol from an operative site and filter out contaminants. Inaddition, they may return filtered air to the operating room.

Given the increasing need and desire for surgical evacuation systems inoperating rooms, the inventors have determined that it would beadvantageous to incorporate such a system directly into a batterypowered lighting device used with a handheld electrosurgical instrument.The subject disclosure presents several new and useful embodiments of abattery powered lighting device for use with an electrosurgicalinstrument, such as a BOVIE® pencil, which incorporates a smokeevacuation system.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject invention is directed to new and useful lighting devices forinstallation on a handheld surgical instrument, and preferably, forreleasable attachment to a handheld electrosurgical instrument. Moreparticularly, the subject invention is directed to a lighting device forattachment to a handheld electrosurgical instrument that includes anelongated housing having opposed proximal and distal end portions anddefining an interior chamber containing a battery powered light assemblyfor illuminating a surgical site, wherein the housing has at least onesmoke evacuation passage associated therewith that extends from an inletlocated adjacent, near or proximate to the distal end portion of thehousing to an outlet located adjacent, near or proximate to the proximalend portion of the housing for removing smoke generated at the surgicalsite.

In one embodiment of the lighting device, the smoke evacuation passageis located within the housing of the lighting device, separated from theinterior chamber by an interior wall of the housing. In anotherembodiment of the lighting device, the smoke evacuation passage islocated outside of the housing of the lighting device, separated fromthe interior chamber by an exterior wall of the housing.

A connective fitting is associated with the outlet of the smokeevacuation passage for connecting the smoke evacuation passage with asmoke evacuation tube that communicates with a source of suction.Preferably, a filter element is located within at least one of the smokeevacuation passage or located in the smoke evacuation tube. It isenvisioned that the smoke evacuation passage could have anycross-sectional configuration, including, for example, a rectangularcross-sectional configuration, a square cross-sectional configuration,an oval cross-sectional configuration or a circular cross-sectionalconfiguration.

In yet another embodiment of the lighting device, the associated smokeevacuation passage extends through a nozzle assembly that is detachablyconnected to an exterior side wall of the housing of the lightingdevice. In such an embodiment, the nozzle assembly may be detachablyconnected to an exterior side wall of the housing by way of a snappingconnection mechanism, including an engagement flange on the exteriorwall of the housing and a pair of deflectable engagement tangs on thenozzle assembly, or vice versa. Alternatively, the associated nozzleassembly may be detachably connected to an exterior side wall of thehousing by way of a sliding tongue and groove connection mechanism,including a groove portion on the exterior wall of the housing and atongue portion on the nozzle assembly, or vice versa. In yet anotherembodiment, the nozzle assembly may be detachably connected to anexterior side wall of the housing by way of an adhesive strip.

Preferably, the associated nozzle assembly includes an inlet nozzle, asmoke evacuation tube extending proximally from the inlet nozzle and abarbed connective fitting at a proximal end of the smoke evacuationtube. The inlet nozzle includes at least one inlet orifice adapted andconfigured to maximize smoke evacuation coverage and performance,because the inlet nozzle can be positioned close to cautery site wherethe smoke is created. In this regard, it is also envisioned that theinlet nozzle could be configured to telescope or otherwise extenddistally so that it may be positioned is in close proximity to source ofsmoke creation.

A filter element can be disclosed in at least one of the inlet nozzle,barbed connective fitting, or the smoke evacuation tube. A coupling isoperatively associated with the smoke evacuation tube for securing thetube to a surgical instrument.

Preferably, the battery powered lighting assembly includes a printedcircuit board that includes at least one LED lighting component, atleast one battery cell, and a switching mechanism. An actuation buttonis associated with the housing for actuating the switching mechanism. Inan embodiment of the invention, at least one rotatable fans is locatedwithin the smoke evacuation passage, and it is operatively connected tothe printed circuit board of the battery powered light assembly. The fanmay be configured to direct air flow from the smoke evacuation passageor to draw air flow into the smoke evacuation passage.

In an embodiment of the subject invention, the housing of the lightingdevice includes a clamping mechanism for selectively attaching thelighting device to the surgical instrument. The clamping mechanisminclude a generally U-shaped clamp body having a pair of opposedparallel clamping arms, and wherein an adjustable holding screw isassociated with one clamping arm and an interior surface of the otherclamping arm has a compliant material plate thereon. The clampingmechanism is pivotably connected to the housing about a pivot axis thatextends perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the elongated housing.

In another embodiment of the subject invention, the interior chamber ofthe housing has conical bore for receiving a distal end portion of thesurgical instrument. In this embodiment, the battery powered lightingassembly is adapted and configured to activate or otherwise turn on whenthe distal end portion of the surgical instrument is received within theconical bore. Conversely, the battery powered lighting assembly isadapted and configured to deactivate or otherwise turn off when thedistal end portion of the surgical instrument is removed from theconical bore.

The subject invention is also directed to a kit for performing asurgical procedure that includes a packaging enclosure, a batterypowered lighting device contained within the packaging enclosureconfigured for attachment to a handheld surgical instrument, and a smokeevacuation nozzle assembly contained within the packaging enclosureconfigured for attachment to the lighting device. The kit may furtherinclude a handheld surgical instrument within the packaging enclosurefor performing a surgical procedure.

Preferably, the smoke evacuation nozzle assembly includes an inletnozzle, a smoke evacuation tube extending proximally from the inletnozzle and a barbed connective fitting at a proximal end of the smokeevacuation tube, and a clamping mechanism is associated with the tubefor selectively attaching the tube to a surgical instrument.

The subject invention is also directed to a method for performing asurgical procedure including the steps of attaching a lighting device toa surgical instrument wherein the lighting device has a smoke evacuationpassage associated therewith, either integrally or connectively, andconnecting an outlet of the smoke evacuation passage to a source ofsuction, such as, for example, a smoke evacuator or suction device. Themethod may further include the steps of using the surgical instrument toperform electrocautery, and activating the source of suction to performsmoke evacuation through an inlet of the smoke evacuation passage.

Preferably, the step of attaching the lighting device to the surgicalinstrument includes automatically activating a light source of thelighting device, and the method further includes the step of removingthe lighting device from the surgical instrument and therebyautomatically deactivating the light source. Preferably, the step ofconnecting an outlet of the smoke evacuation passage to a source ofsuction includes attaching a smoke evacuation tube to a first side ofthe lighting device, and the method further includes the steps ofdetaching the smoke evacuation tube from the first side of the lightingdevice and reattaching the smoke evacuation tube to a second side of thelighting device.

These and other features of the lighting devices of the subjectinvention will become more readily apparent to those having ordinaryskill in the art to which the subject invention appertains from thedetailed description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunctionwith the following brief description of the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that those skilled in the art will readily understand how to make anduse the lighting device of the subject invention without undueexperimentation, preferred embodiments thereof will be described indetail herein below with reference to the figures wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lighting device having an internalsmoke evacuation passage separated from a surgical instrument to whichit may be attached;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the lighting device with internal smokeevacuation passage attached to the surgical instrument shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the lighting device with internal smokeevacuation passage attached to a surgical instrument, with smokeevacuation tubing connected thereto;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the lighting device with internalsmoke evacuation passage attached to a surgical instrument;

FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the lighting device with internalsmoke evacuation passage attached to a surgical instrument;

FIG. 6 is a frontal perspective view of the lighting device shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the lighting device shown in FIG.6;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the lighting device shown in FIG.6;

FIG. 9 is a rear elevational view of the lighting device shown in FIG.6;

FIG. 10 is a posterior perspective view of the lighting device shown inFIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the lighting device shown inFIG. 6, with parts separated for ease of illustration;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the lighting device with internalsmoke evacuation passage taken along line A-A of FIG. 7;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a lighting device with an internalsmoke evacuation passage that includes an internal fan, which isseparated from a surgical instrument to which it may be attached;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the lighting device of FIG. 13 attachedto the surgical instrument;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the lighting device and surgicalinstrument of FIG. 14, with smoke evacuation tubing connected thereto;

FIG. 16 is a front elevational view of the lighting device and surgicalinstrument of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a rear elevational view of the lighting device and surgicalinstrument of FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a frontal perspective view of the lighting device shown inFIG. 13;

FIG. 19 is a front elevational view of the lighting device shown in FIG.18;

FIG. 20 is a side elevational view of the lighting device shown in FIG.18;

FIG. 21 is a rear elevational view of the lighting device shown in FIG.18;

FIG. 22 is a posterior perspective view of the lighting device shown inFIG. 18;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the printed circuit board, LEDs, switchand fan subassembly housed within the lighting device of FIG. 18;

FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of the lighting device of FIG.18, with parts separated for ease of illustration;

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of the lighting device taken alongline B-B of FIG. 19;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a surgical lighting device with anattachable smoke evacuation subassembly separated from a surgicalinstrument;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the surgical lighting device shown inFIG. 26 with the smoke evacuation subassembly attached thereto engagedon the distal end portion of the surgical instrument;

FIG. 28 is a front elevational view of the assembly shown in FIG. 27illustrating a left side attachment;

FIG. 29 is a front elevational view of the assembly shown in FIG. 27illustrating a right side attachment;

FIG. 30 is a right side elevational view of the assembly shown in FIG.27;

FIG. 31 is a top plan view of the assembly shown in FIG. 27;

FIG. 32 is a partial section view taken along line C-C of FIG. 31;

FIG. 33 is an exploded perspective view of the lighting device shown inFIG. 26;

FIG. 34 is a top plan view of the lighting device shown in FIG. 26;

FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D of FIG. 34;

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the subassembly with printed circuitboard, battery, switch and LED housed in the lighting device shown inFIG. 26;

FIG. 37 is a front end view of the subassembly shown in FIG. 36;

FIG. 38 is a side elevational view of lighting device shown in FIG. 26;

FIG. 39 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line E-E of FIG.38, illustrating the sliding mechanism for detachably connecting thesmoke evacuation subassembly to the lighting device;

FIG. 40 is a front end view of the lighting device shown in FIG. 36;

FIG. 41 is a perspective view of the smoke evacuation nozzle assemblyshown in FIG. 26;

FIG. 42 is a front end view of the smoke evacuation nozzle assemblyshown in FIG. 41;

FIG. 43 is a side elevational view of the smoke evacuation nozzleassembly shown in FIG. 41;

FIG. 44 is an enlarged localized view of the connective tongue shown inFIG. 42;

FIG. 45 is a bottom plan view of the smoke evacuation nozzle assemblyshown in FIG. 41;

FIG. 46 is a perspective view of another surgical lighting device with adetachable attachable smoke evacuation subassembly separated from asurgical instrument;

FIG. 47 is a perspective view of the surgical lighting device shown inFIG. 46 with the smoke evacuation subassembly attached thereto engagedon the distal end portion of the surgical instrument;

FIG. 48 is a front elevational view of the assembly shown in FIG. 47illustrating a left side attachment;

FIG. 49 is a front elevational view of the assembly shown in FIG. 47illustrating a right side attachment;

FIG. 50 is a top plan view of the assembly shown in FIG. 47;

FIG. 51 is a right side elevational view of the assembly shown in FIG.47;

FIG. 52 is a partial section view taken along line G-G of FIG. 51;

FIG. 53 is a right side elevational view of lighting device shown inFIG. 46;

FIG. 54 is a top plan view of the lighting device shown in FIG. 46;

FIG. 55 is a front end view of the subassembly shown in FIG. 46;

FIG. 56 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line H-H of FIG.53;

FIG. 57 is a perspective view of the smoke evacuation nozzle assemblyshown in FIG. 46;

FIG. 58 is a front end view of the smoke evacuation nozzle assemblyshown in FIG. 57;

FIG. 59 is a rear end view of the smoke evacuation nozzle assembly shownin FIG. 57;

FIG. 60 is an enlarged localized view of the connective arms shown inFIG. 59;

FIG. 61 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 46, wherein thesmoke evacuation tube extending from the nozzle assembly includes a clipfor engaging a proximal end portion of the surgical instrument;

FIG. 62 is a perspective view as in FIG. 61, with the clip on the smokeevacuation tube engaged to the proximal end portion of the surgicalinstrument;

FIG. 63 is a top plan view of the assembly shown in FIG. 62;

FIG. 64 is a right side elevational view of the assembly shown in FIG.62;

FIG. 65 is a rear end view of the assembly shown in FIG. 62;

FIG. 66 is an exploded side elevational view of the smoke evacuationpassage shown in FIG. 62, which includes the nozzle assembly, smokeevacuation tube, engagement clip and barbed connector;

FIG. 67 is an assembled side elevational view of the smoke evacuationpassage shown in FIG. 62;

FIG. 68 is a cross-sectional view of barbed connector taken along lineK-K of FIG. 67 illustrating a possible location for a filter element;

FIG. 69 is a rear end view of the smoke evacuation passage shown in FIG.62;

FIG. 70 is a front end view of the smoke evacuation passage shown inFIG. 62;

FIG. 71 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 46, wherein thenozzle assembly includes an adhesive strip for securing the smokeevacuation passage to the lighting device, which is shown separated froma surgical instrument;

FIG. 72 is a perspective as in FIG. 71, with the lighting devicepositioned on the distal end portion of the surgical instrument and withthe nozzle assembly of the smoke evacuation passage attached to thelighting device with the adhesive strip;

FIG. 73 is a front end view of the assembly shown in FIG. 72 with theadhesive strip in an unsecured condition;

FIG. 74 is a front end view of the assembly shown in FIG. 72 with theadhesive strip in a secured condition;

FIG. 75 is a top plan view of the assembly shown in FIG. 72 with theadhesive strip in a secured condition;

FIG. 76 is a right side elevational view of the assembly shown in FIG.72 with the adhesive strip in a secured condition;

FIG. 77 is a bottom plan view of the assembly shown in FIG. 72 with theadhesive strip in a secured condition;

FIG. 78 is a perspective view of a lighting device with an externalsmoke evacuation passage, which is separated from a surgical instrumentto which it may be attached;

FIG. 79 is a perspective view of the lighting device with an externalsmoke evacuation passage attached to the distal end portion of thesurgical instrument shown in FIG. 78;

FIG. 80 is a top plan view of the assembly shown in FIG. 79;

FIG. 81 is a right side elevational view of the assembly shown in FIG.79;

FIG. 82 is a front end view of the assembly shown in FIG. 79;

FIG. 83 is a perspective view of the lighting device shown in FIG. 79,with the smoke evacuation tubing disconnected from the external smokeevacuation passage;

FIG. 84 is a perspective view of the lighting device shown in FIG. 79,with the smoke evacuation tubing connected to the external smokeevacuation passage;

FIG. 85 is a front end view of the lighting device shown in FIG. 84;

FIG. 86 is a cross-sectional view taken along line L-L of FIG. 85;

FIG. 87 is a front end view of a tube-shaped smoke evacuation inletnozzle;

FIG. 88 is a side elevational view of inlet nozzle shown in FIG. 87;

FIG. 89 is a cross-sectional view taken along line M-M of FIG. 87;

FIG. 90 is a perspective view of a multi-orifice smoke evacuation inletnozzle configured to distribute suction across a distance to better pullsurgical smoke covering a wider area in the surgical field;

FIG. 91 is an exploded perspective view of the inlet nozzle shown inFIG. 90;

FIG. 92 is a front end view of the inlet nozzle shown in FIG. 90;

FIG. 93 is a side end view of the inlet nozzle shown in FIG. 90;

FIG. 94 is an exploded perspective view of a kit having a packagingenclosure configured to retain the lighting device and smoke evacuationassembly shown in FIG. 61;

FIG. 95 is a perspective view of the kit shown in FIG. 94 with thelighting device and smoke evacuation assembly packaged within theenclosure;

FIG. 96 is a top perspective view of the packaging enclosure shown inFIG. 94;

FIG. 97 is a bottom perspective view of the packaging enclosure shown inFIG. 94;

FIG. 98 is an exploded perspective view of a kit having a packagingenclosure configured to retain the lighting device, smoke evacuationassembly and surgical instrument shown in FIG. 61, wherein the surgicalinstrument has a connective wire (those skilled in the art will readilyappreciate that the wire was excluded in previous drawings for ease ofillustration);

FIG. 99 is a perspective view of the kit shown in FIG. 98 with thelighting device, smoke evacuation assembly and surgical instrumentpackaged within the enclosure;

FIG. 100 is perspective view of another lighting device separated from asurgical instrument to which it may be attached, which includes multipleexternal smoke evacuation passages;

FIG. 101 is a perspective view of as in FIG. 100 with the lightingdevice attached to the distal end portion of the surgical instrument;

FIG. 102 is a perspective view of the assembly shown in FIG. 101, with asmoke evacuation tube connected to the smoke evacuation passage on theright side of the lighting device;

FIG. 103 is a perspective view of the assembly shown in FIG. 101, with asmoke evacuation tube connected to the smoke evacuation passage on theleft side of the lighting device;

FIG. 104 is a top plan view of the assembly shown in FIG. 102;

FIG. 105 is a front end view of the lighting device shown in FIG. 100;

FIG. 106 is a side elevational view of the lighting device shown in FIG.100;

FIG. 107 is a cross-sectional view taken along line N-N of FIG. 106;

FIG. 108 is a perspective view of a lighting device attached to thedistal end portion of a surgical instrument, wherein the lighting devicehas multiple distinct attachment locations for attaching a smokeevacuation passage thereto, and wherein the inlet nozzle of a smokeevacuation passage is attached to a bottom one of those attachmentlocations;

FIG. 109 is a side elevational view of the assembly shown in FIG. 108;

FIG. 110 is a front end view of the assembly shown in FIG. 108;

FIG. 111 is perspective view of the assembly shown in FIG. 108 with theinlet nozzles of two separated two smoke evacuation passages areattached to the lighting device at two different locations;

FIG. 112 is a side elevational view of the assembly shown in FIG. 111;and

FIG. 113 is a front end view of the assembly shown in FIG. 111.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals identifysimilar structural elements of the various embodiments of the subjectinvention, there is illustrated in FIG. 1 a lighting device 20 having aninternal smoke evacuation passage 8. The lighting device 20 is adaptedand configured to be attached to a surgical instrument 10, preferably onthe distal end portion thereof, as shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 3,an elongated smoke evacuation tube 30 connects the proximal end of theinternal smoke evacuation passage 8 of lighting device 20 to a source ofsuction such as smoke evacuator or pump (not shown).

Referring now to FIGS. 4 through 12, the lighting device 20 has agenerally rectangular housing with opposed proximal and distal endsdefined by left and right housing components 2 and 2′. As best seen inFIG. 12, the housing of lighting device 20 defines an interior chamberthat contains a battery powered light assembly for illuminating asurgical site. The light assembly includes a printed circuit board 28with at least one or two integrated or embedded LED light components 32,a mechanical switching mechanism 26, and a battery cell 24. A concavelens 6 is located at the distal end of the housing for directing thelight sources 32.

A push button actuator 4 is associated with the housing section 2 formanually actuating the switching mechanism 26 that controls the batterypowered light assembly. The housing defined by left and right housingcomponents 2 and 2′ includes the internal smoke evacuation passage 8,which is defined by left and right passage portions 8 and 8′ best seenin FIG. 11. Smoke evacuation passage 8 is separated from the interiorchamber of the housing by an interior wall 5. The smoke evacuationpassage 8 extends from an inlet located adjacent the distal end portionof the housing to an outlet or connective fitting 18, 18′ locatedadjacent the proximal end portion of the housing. Connective fitting 18enables the elongated smoke evacuation tube 30 to connect the smokeevacuation passage 8 with a source of suction, such as a smoke evacuator(not shown).

Referring to FIGS. 6 through 10, the lighting device 20 includes aclamping mechanism 12 for selectively attaching the lighting device tothe surgical instrument, as seen in FIG. 2. The clamping mechanism 12includes a generally U-shaped clamp body having a pair of opposedparallel clamping arms 12′ and 12″. An adjustable holding screw 16 isassociated with clamping arm 12′ and an interior surface of clamping arm12″ has a compliant material plate 14 thereon for closely engaging thegeometry of the surgical instrument 10. The clamping mechanism 12 ispivotably connected to the housing 2, 2′ about a pivot axis defined bypin 22 that extends perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of theelongated housing 2 for adjusting the light angle of lighting device 20relative to the distal end of the surgical instrument 10 so as tointersect the distal tip of the instrument. Those skilled in the artwill readily appreciate that other mechanical clamping mechanisms may beemployed to attach the lighting device to the surgical instrument, suchas, for example, spring loaded clamps or the like. Alternatively, othertypes of attachment means could be employed, such as, for example, hookand loop type fasteners, adhesive tape or the like.

It is envisioned that a filter element could be located within the smokeevacuation passage 8 or within the smoke evacuation tube 30 to filterdebris and/or contaminants from the air passing therethrough from thesurgical site. It is also envisioned that the internal smoke evacuationpassage 8 could have either a rectangular cross-sectional configurationas shown in FIG. 4, or the internal smoke evacuation passage could havea square cross-sectional configuration, an oval cross-sectionalconfiguration, a circular cross-sectional configuration or any othershaped cross-sectional configuration that may be known and/or readilymanufactured.

Referring now to FIGS. 13 and 14, there is illustrated anotherembodiment of a lighting device designated generally by referencenumeral 40, which has an external smoke evacuation passage 15. Theexternal smoke evacuation passage 15 is located outside of the mainhousing 52, 52′ of the lighting device 40, separated from the interiorchamber by an exterior wall of the housing. As shown in FIG. 15, anelongated smoke evacuation tube 50 connects the fitting 56 at theproximal end of the external smoke evacuation passage 15 of lightingdevice 40 to a source of suction such as pump or smoke evacuator (notshown).

Referring to FIGS. 18 through 25, lighting device 40 includes anadjustable clamping mechanism 12 that is substantially identical to theclamping mechanism 12 of lighting device 20, to facilitate the selectiveattachment of the lighting device 40 to the distal end portion of thesurgical instrument 10. Lighting device 40 also includes a batterypowered lighting assembly having a printed circuit board 58 withembedded LED light sources 32, a battery cell 24 and a switch 26controlled by an actuation button 4. A lens 6 is positioned in a holdingslots at the distal end of the housing 52, 52′ adjacent the LED lightsources 32.

Lighting device 40 also includes an internal rotatable fan 54 locatednear the distal inlet of the external smoke evacuation passage 15. Thefan 54 may be configured to direct air flow from the smoke evacuationpassage 15 or to draw air flow into the smoke evacuation passage 15. Thefan 54 is electrically connected to the printed circuit board 58 andpowered by the battery 24 of the lighting assembly contained within thetwo part rectangular housing 52, 52′ of lighting device 40.

Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that a plurality offans or micro-fans can be positioned within the external smokeevacuation passage 15 of lighting device 40. It should also beappreciated that one or more fans could be similarly located in theinternal smoke evacuation passage 8 of the lighting device 20, describedabove.

As best seen in FIG. 25, a filter element 62 is positioned near theproximal end portion of the external smoke evacuation passage 15 oflighting device 40. The filter element 62 may contain carbon oractivated charcoal and may be a single or multi-layer composite and itcan include mesh, paper or other filter layers, which can behydrophobic.

Referring now to FIGS. 26 through 45, there is illustrated anothersurgical lighting device designated by reference numeral 510 for usewith a handheld electro surgical instrument 10, which cooperates with adetachable smoke evacuation assembly 520. As explained in more detailbelow, the lighting device 510 includes sliding engagement structures512, 512′ to facilitate the attachment of the smoke evacuation assembly520 to the right side wall of the lighting device 510 as shown in FIGS.27 and 28, or the left side wall of the lighting device 510 as shown inFIG. 29.

The smoke evacuation assembly 520 includes an inlet nozzle 506 defininga smoke evacuation passage located adjacent the distal end of thelighting device 510. An elongate smoke evacuation tube 508 extends fromthe proximal outlet 516 of the inlet nozzle 506 for communicating with asmoke evacuator or pump. As best seen in FIG. 32, a sliding connector514 extends from a bottom surface of the inlet nozzle 506 for engagingwith either one of the interfacing connectors 512 and 512′ located onthe right and left side walls of the lighting device 510 (see also FIG.40). As shown for example in FIGS. 38 through 45, the sliding connector514 includes a slotted tongue 522 for interfacing with a groove 518formed in the sliding connectors 512, 512′.

Referring to FIGS. 33 through 37, the lighting device 510 includes agenerally conical housing 504 having a substantially planar uppersurface 505 to enable an unobstructed line of sight for the surgeonutilizing the surgical instrument 10. The housing 504 has an interiorcavity that supports a lighting assembly, which includes a printedcircuit board 546 having a plurality of circumferentially spaced apartembedded LED light sources 548, battery cells 544 and a switchingmechanism 562. A lens 540 is positioned at the distal end of the housing504 adjacent or near to the LED light sources 548. An engagement collar552 with a cooperating spring 554 is operatively associated with thehousing 504 of lighting device 510 for engaging the distal end portionof the surgical instrument 10 when it is received within the interiorcavity 556 of the lighting device 510.

In use, when the distal end portion of the electrosurgical instrument 10is inserted into the conical alignment sleeve 556 within interior cavityof the lighting device 510, the distal end portion of the instrument 10will contact a flexible cantilevered foot that flexes downward tocontact the switching mechanism 562, causing the LED light sources toilluminate. At such a time, the distal end portion of the instrumentwill be mechanically retained by the spring biased engagement collar552. Thereupon, a surgeon using the instrument 10 will be able to incisetissue, while illuminating the surgical site and removing smoketherefrom with the lighting device 510 and its smoke evacuation assembly520 attached on either side thereof.

Referring now to FIGS. 46 through 60, there is illustrated yet anothersurgical lighting device designated by reference numeral 530 for usewith a handheld electrosurgical instrument 10, which cooperates with adetachable smoke evacuation assembly 550. As explained in more detailbelow, housing 532 of lighting device 530 includes snapping engagementstructures 528, 528′ to facilitate the attachment of the smokeevacuation assembly 550 to the right side wall of the housing 532, asshown in FIG. 48, or the left side wall of the housing 532, as shown inFIG. 49.

The smoke evacuation assembly 550 includes an inlet nozzle 524 defininga smoke evacuation passage located adjacent to the distal end of thehousing 532. An elongated smoke evacuation tube 508 extends from theproximal outlet 526 of the inlet nozzle 524 for communicating with asmoke evacuator or pump. As best seen in FIG. 52, a snapping connector536 extends from a bottom surface of the inlet nozzle 524 for engagingwith the snapping connectors 528 and 528′ on the right and left sidewalls of the housing 532 of lighting device 530. As shown for example inFIGS. 53 through 60, the snapping connector 536 includes a pair ofdeflectable legs 536′ and 536″ for interfacing with or otherwiseengaging complementary grooves 534, 534′ in the sliding connectors 528,528′.

Referring to FIGS. 61 through 70, there is illustrated anotherembodiment of a detachable smoke evacuation assembly designatedgenerally by reference numeral 560 for use with lighting device 510.Smoke evacuation assembly 560 includes an inlet nozzle 506 and anelongated smoke evacuation tube 566. The inlet nozzle 506 is adapted andconfigured for attachment to the housing 504 of lighting device 510 asexplained in detail above.

A retention clip 568 is operatively positioned along the length of thetube 566, as shown in FIGS. 69 and 70, for selectively engaging aproximal end portion of the surgical instrument 10, employed withsurgical instrument 10 (see FIG. 65). The retention clip 568 includes apair of barbed retention legs 568′ and 568″ that serve to retain thetube 566 in a fixed location so that it does not interfere with theperformance of a surgical procedure.

A barbed connector fitting 564 is operatively positioned at the proximalend of the smoke evacuation tube 566 for communicating with a smokeevacuator or pump. Other types of connectors or fitting could also beutilized. As best seen in FIG. 68, a filter element 572 is positionedwith the central passageway of the connector fitting 564 for filteringthe smoke filled air passing therethrough under suction by the smokeevacuator or pump. The filter element 572 can be formed from carbon,activated carbon or a similar filtration media.

Referring to FIGS. 71 through 77, there is illustrated anotherembodiment of a detachable smoke evacuation assembly 580 for use with alighting device 570 employed with a handheld surgical instrument 10. Thesmoke evacuation assembly 580 includes an inlet nozzle 576, an elongatedsmoke evacuation tube 582 and an adhesive strip 578. The adhesive strip578 is dimensioned and configured to extend at least partially aroundthe periphery of the housing 574 of lighting device 570 and securelyfasten the nozzle 576 thereto.

Referring now to FIGS. 78 through 86, there is illustrated anotherembodiment of a lighting device 590 that has an external smokeevacuation passage 588 formed integral with the housing 584 of thelighting device 590 for use in conjunction with a handheldelectrosurgical instrument 10. The smoke evacuation passage 588, whichcan have any type of cross-sectional configuration, but as shown herehas a generally oval cross-sectional configuration and extends from aninlet adjacent to the distal end of the housing 584 to an outlet 592adjacent to or nearby the proximal end of the housing 584. A smokeevacuation tube 586 connects with the outlet 592 to enable communicationwith a smoke evacuator or pump, as best seen in FIG. 83.

As best seen in FIG. 86, lighting device 590 has an interior cavity witha conical alignment sleeve 556 and a lighting assembly which includes aprinted circuit board 546 having a plurality of embedded LED lightsources 548, battery cells (not shown) and a switching mechanism 562. Alens 540 is positioned at the distal end of housing 584 and a spacer 542is located between the lens 540 and the light sources 548 on the printedcircuit board 546. An engagement collar 552 with a cooperating spring554 is operatively associated with the interior cavity 556 of thelighting device 584 for engaging the distal end portion of the surgicalinstrument 10 when it is received within the interior cavity 556 of thelighting device 590.

In use, when the distal end portion of the electrosurgical instrument 10is inserted into the sleeve 556 within the interior cavity of thelighting device 590, the distal end portion of the instrument 10 willcontact a flexible member and push it downwardly to engage the switchingmechanism 562, causing the LED light sources 548 to illuminate. At sucha time, the distal end portion of the instrument 10 will be mechanicallyretained by the spring biased engagement collar 552. Thereupon, asurgeon employing the electrosurgical instrument 10 will be able toincise tissue while illuminating the surgical site and removing smoketherefrom, using the lighting device 590 and its external smokeevacuation passage 588 formed integral with housing 584.

Referring to FIGS. 87 through 89, there is illustrated a cylindrical ortube-shaped smoke evacuation inlet nozzle 602 having a distal inletportion 602 and a proximal outlet portion 606 which is dimensioned andconfigured for communication with a smoke evacuation tube 586. Thoseskilled in the art will readily appreciate that inlet nozzle 602 can beemployed as an alternative nozzle feature of any of the smoke evacuationassemblies described and illustrated herein.

Referring to FIGS. 90 through 93, there is illustrated another smokeevacuation inlet nozzle 605 that includes a rear body portion 608 thatis configured for communication with a smoke evacuation tube 586 and amulti-orifice front body portion 612 configured to distribute suctionacross a distance to better pull surgical smoke covering a wider area inthe surgical field. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciatethat a multi-orifice nozzle like nozzle 605, shown in FIG. 90 can beemployed as an alternative nozzle feature of any of the smoke evacuationassemblies described and illustrated herein.

Referring now to FIGS. 94 through 97, there is illustrated a kit forperforming a surgical procedure with a handheld surgical instrument,that includes a packaging enclosure 610 configured to retain a batterypowered lighting device 510 and detachable smoke evacuation assembly 560shown in FIGS. 61 and 62. The smoke evacuation assembly 560 includes anozzle inlet 506, an elongated tube 566 having a proximal connector 564and a clip 568 for attachment to the proximal end of a hand heldsurgical instrument.

Referring now to FIGS. 98 through 99, there is illustrated another kitfor performing a surgical procedure, which includes a packagingenclosure 620 configured to retain a battery powered lighting device510, a smoke evacuation assembly 560 for attachment to the lightingdevice 510 and a handheld electrocautery instrument 100 (such as aBOVIE® pencil or the like) to which the lighting device 510 is attachedfor illuminating the surgical site without unduly obstructing thesurgeons line of sight. With this kit, a surgeon can perform anelectrocautery procedure and perform smoke evacuation while illuminatingthe surgical site.

Turning now to FIGS. 100 through 107, there is illustrated yet anotherembodiment of a lighting device with an integral smoke evacuationassembly designated generally by reference numeral 710, which is alsodesigned for use with a handheld electrosurgical instrument 10. Lightingdevice 710 includes a generally conical housing 702 that includesintegral right and left smoke evacuation passages 706′ and 706″. Eachsmoke evacuation passage has an inlet 708′ and 708″ adjacent or near thedistal end of the housing 702 for drawing in smoke and an outlet barb704′ and 704″ adjacent or near the proximal end of the housing 702 forcommunicating with a smoke evacuation tube 720.

As best seen in FIG. 107, lighting device 710 has an interior cavitywith a conical alignment sleeve 556 and a lighting assembly whichincludes a printed circuit board 546 having one or more embedded LEDlight sources and one or more battery cells 544. A lens 540 ispositioned at the distal end of the housing 702. In use, performing asurgical procedure with lighting device 710 including the steps ofattaching the lighting device 710 to the distal end portion of thesurgical instrument 10, which activates the LED light sources, and thenconnecting the outlet 704 of one of the smoke evacuation passage 706′ or706″ to a source of suction by way of smoke evacuation tube 720. Ifnecessary, during the procedure, in order to prevent obstruction of theoperative site by the smoke evacuation tube 720, the method furtherincludes the steps of detaching the smoke evacuation tube 720 from oneof the smoke evacuation passage 706′ or 706″ and reattaching the smokeevacuation tube 720 to the other smoke evacuation passage 706′ or 706″,as illustrated in FIGS. 102 and 103.

Referring now to FIGS. 108 through 113, there is illustrated a lightingdevice 730 for use with a handheld surgical instrument 10 that has threedistinct attachment locations (it is envisioned that there could be morethan three attachment locations) for engagement with the inlet nozzle506 of a detachable smoke evacuation assembly having an elongated smokeevacuation tube 508 for communicating with a smoke evacuator or pump(not shown). More particularly, as best seen in FIG. 110, the generallyconical housing 732 of lighting device 730 includes a first attachmentflange 512 on the right side of the housing 732, a second attachmentflange 512′ on the left side of the housing 732 and a third attachmentflange 512″ on the bottom of the housing 732.

It is envisioned that the inlet nozzle 506 of a smoke evacuationassembly can be attached at either of the three or more locations.Alternatively, as illustrated in FIGS. 111 through 113, the inletnozzles 506 of more than one smoke evacuation assembly can be attachedto the housing 732 of the lighting device 730 to enhance the smokeevacuation effectiveness of the system.

While the subject disclosure has been shown and described with referenceto preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will readilyappreciate that changes or modifications may be made thereto withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the subject disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A lighting device for attachment to a handheldelectrosurgical instrument comprising: an elongated housing havingopposed proximal and distal end portions and defining an interiorchamber containing a battery powered lighting assembly for illuminatinga surgical site, the housing having at least one smoke evacuationpassage associated therewith that extends from an inlet located near thedistal end portion of the housing to an outlet located near the proximalend portion of the housing for removing smoke generated at the surgicalsite, wherein the smoke evacuation passage is located outside of thehousing of the lighting device, separated from the interior chamber byan exterior wall of the housing, wherein the interior chamber of thehousing has a conical bore for receiving a distal end portion of thesurgical instrument, and wherein the battery powered lighting assemblyis adapted and configured to activate when the distal end portion of thesurgical instrument is received within the conical bore.
 2. A lightingdevice as recited in claim 1, wherein the smoke evacuation passageextends through a nozzle assembly that is connected to an exterior sidewall of the housing of the lighting device at one or more locations. 3.A lighting device as recited in claim 2, wherein the nozzle assembly isdetachably connected to an exterior side wall of the housing by way of asliding tongue and groove connection mechanism, including a grooveportion and a tongue portion.
 4. A lighting device as recited in claim2, wherein the nozzle assembly includes an inlet nozzle, a smokeevacuation tube extending proximally from the inlet nozzle and aconnector at a proximal end of the smoke evacuation tube for connectionwith a smoke evacuator.
 5. A lighting device as recited in claim 4,wherein the inlet nozzle includes at least one inlet orifice adapted andconfigured to maximize smoke evacuation coverage and performance.
 6. Alighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein the battery poweredlighting assembly includes a printed circuit board that includes atleast one LED lighting component, at least one battery cell, and aswitching mechanism.